Cleaning out the notebook from the final major of the year at the 2021 U.S. Open.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
• Daniil Medvedev thwarted history and beat Novak Djokovic to win the 2021 U.S. Open, his first (of likely many) majors. He dropped one set all tournament and played brilliantly in the final, out-Djokovic-ing Djokovic, and grabbing early breaks on each of the three sets, thus leeching drama. This tagline will be “Djokovic denied” but it ought to be Medvedev won. He stepped into this crucible of pressure and delivered the match of his life.